Police to RAF

[Nicholas Angel]

Hello,

I am currently a Police Constable with around 7 years of service. I am and have the qualifications to apply to be an RAF Officer.

I am becoming slightly disillusioned with the job and the only thing to really catch my eye is joining the RAF. If you’re wondering what the disillusion is, to name just a few, it is the poor morale, lack of training, lack of competent management and the perceived lack of public support for the police.

I have identified some roles that I would be interested in. I appreciate that there is more competition for certain roles, but so far, the options are:
- RPAS pilot (obviously)
- Weapon Systems Officer
- Personnel Training Officer

Arguably just as important to me is the ‘lifestyle’. I’m accustomed to working shifts/weekends, so that’s no issue. However, what is the actual lifestyle like? The social life? The deployments/tours? The benefits? The adventurous training? And anything else you believe might be relevant.

Also, am I too old to consider such a career change? What is the training/qualifications prospects like? I currently have a partner who is also in the police, just for background information. She is not particularly keen on the idea.

Im really interested to hear what serving RAF staff make of the scenario, as I’m of the impression that you don’t get many police officers looking to join the RAF, as opposed to the other way round near the end of their service.

Thank you in advance.

 

[muttywhitedog]

If you’re wondering what the disillusion is, to name just a few, it is the poor morale, lack of training, lack of competent management and the perceived lack of public support for the police.

The first 3 of these were reasons I left the RAF. I havent seen anything in the following 6 years to imply that it has got any better. They are issues in my current role within the public sector. I know people in other public sector roles and its the same there.

I think you may be looking for Eutopia in the Public Sector where it doesnt exist.

Good luck in whatever you do.

 

[Dan_Brown]

As above, what makes you think the RAF is any different?

I've also met a few ex-CivPol who have come across to the RAF Police - some good, some bad. You can use your 7 years experience and bring a different viewpoint or you can use your experience to think you are better than everyone else - your choice But if you really don't want to do policing again, then your other choices are sound, although i'd be looking at jobs with skill-sets you can bring back to civvy st for when you eventually leave.

You still get the opportunity for tours, adventure training etc, present circumstances permitting of course!

Your only sticking point is your partner, you could end up posted anywhere and deployed anywhere from 4 months - 6 months and salary - can you afford to take a drop?

That being said, you only get one life, only you can make that choice.

 

[vim_fuego]

Hello,

I am currently a Police Constable with around 7 years of service. I am and have the qualifications to apply to be an RAF Officer.

I am becoming slightly disillusioned with the job and the only thing to really catch my eye is joining the RAF. If you’re wondering what the disillusion is, to name just a few, it is the poor morale, lack of training, lack of competent management and the perceived lack of public support for the police.

I have identified some roles that I would be interested in. I appreciate that there is more competition for certain roles, but so far, the options are:
- RPAS pilot (obviously)
- Weapon Systems Officer
- Personnel Training Officer

Arguably just as important to me is the ‘lifestyle’. I’m accustomed to working shifts/weekends, so that’s no issue. However, what is the actual lifestyle like? The social life? The deployments/tours? The benefits? The adventurous training? And anything else you believe might be relevant.

Also, am I too old to consider such a career change? What is the training/qualifications prospects like? I currently have a partner who is also in the police, just for background information. She is not particularly keen on the idea.

Im really interested to hear what serving RAF staff make of the scenario, as I’m of the impression that you don’t get many police officers looking to join the RAF, as opposed to the other way round near the end of their service.

Thank you in advance.

First of all thanks for your service as a rozzer...interesting and probably unrewarding times at the moment and we are far from being out of the woods in terms of a 'flighty' society.

Second...the RAF, if you have been or are still in it for some time, has changed. This means that if you joined 20-odd years ago it may not seem as good now as in your early years. For you it will be a blank canvas so focus on the T&C's and perceived extra benefits like adventurous training, sports, funded education etc as well as the job spec of that which you fancy.

Your choices are 66% sound. You cannot be a direct entrant WSO. You must join as a non-commissioned Weapon Systems Operator first (so you join as a cadet then go to SGT after your initial training course. I'm an ex-WSOp (EW) if you want to ask any questions about that. Always aim high first and let then beat you down to what you are able to do and what is available in terms of a training place. Pilot is as high as you can aim...Look at supply officer (or whatever they call it these days) as those boys and girls get some superb training in systems used in the civvy world. This means that you can be highly employable after you leave, demanding decent money. Also Admin Officer (HR) for the same reasons as supply 'O'.

Also how old are you?

 

[busby1971]

Agree with Vim above, different People will have different viewpoints based on how their time has gone and it has met their expectations, or failed to.

Before you leave one Public Service role to join another then just make sure that the issues that you don’t like with the Police aren’t just going to be another flavour of the same in the RAF.

If you want a bit of fun and excitement then don’t look at a desk based role, if you want get some good qualifications and experiences with a dash of excitement every now and then then just make sure you focus on what the end game is.

Good luck whatever you decide to do, can you not get a secondment to a police unit that is deployed somewhere interesting, I kept coming across british coppers on some of my deployments.

 

[Talk Wrench]

A friend of mine went from Civ Pol to an Air Traffic role so it's definitely not unheard of.

The Police career path didn't suit him at the time so he took the plunge and joined the RAF. He left the RAF a couple of years ago after completing 22 years of service so it's fair to say that his choice paid off and his career met his expectations.

And that's something that the careers people will pick you over for. Being in the Police is not just a job, it's a vocation, pretty much as Armed Service is and they'll want to clearly understand your expectations and rationale for leaving one vocation for another. Couple that with the branches you wish to apply for and the questions they'll be asking themselves are "is this guy a good investment and are we sure he won't bail out in a few years".

It's down to you to convince them.

 

[Nicholas Angel]

Thank you to all of you for taking the time to post on this thread and the well wishes. I really do appreciate it. You have given me a valuable insight into life in the RAF and which trade(s) to realistically target.

Also how old are you?

Vim, I am 28, which I am hoping is still young enough to take the plunge (if that's what I decide to do).

Being in the Police is not just a job, it's a vocation, pretty much as Armed Service is and they'll want to clearly understand your expectations and rationale for leaving one vocation for another. Couple that with the branches you wish to apply for and the questions they'll be asking themselves are "is this guy a good investment and are we sure he won't bail out in a few years".

Wrench, you raise good points and have a good example of there being life outside of the police (which sometimes it does not feel like there is). I remember saying that policing was a vocation as opposed to a 'job' when I was joining up/new. However, the benefits you get in the police are poor compared to the military. The only thing that is vocational about it is that we don't work 9-5. We also have the added benefit it having to interact with (in the most politically correct way possible) the feral underclass for 90% of our working life.

Before you leave one Public Service role to join another then just make sure that the issues that you don’t like with the Police aren’t just going to be another flavour of the same in the RAF.
Good luck whatever you decide to do, can you not get a secondment to a police unit that is deployed somewhere interesting, I kept coming across British coppers on some of my deployments.

Busby, that is a legitimate concern that I have. I was hoping everyone would tell me the RAF was wonderful in every way and should absolutely make the decision. Secondments are difficult to come by, unfortunately. The dreaded phrase "understaffed" is used by management to beat your ambitions down and justify not letting anyone do anything interesting.

As above, what makes you think the RAF is any different?
Your only sticking point is your partner, you could end up posted anywhere and deployed anywhere from 4 months - 6 months and salary - can you afford to take a drop?

Dan, I suppose it is because the RAF is well marketed. At least from someone as uninformed as me, it looks like the dream. The money would be a drop, but I feel like certain other benefits outweigh the monies (accommodation, non-contributory pension, adventurous training, education credits etc.).

Again, thank you all for your time. I am going to wait a couple of weeks before I do anything. Hopefully that will be enough time to decide if I actually hate it, or just hate it right now. Policing can be great, but I need to have a think if the RAF could just be greater...

 

[Dan_Brown]

Just to throw another spanner in the decision making process..............

You've done 7 years in, that means you have done your time dealing with the bobby on the beat thang. What about specialising? I've spent a few years working closely with CivPol SB ie suits, plenty of coffee and not been spat at or having your head punched in. Or other areas ie CID etc.

I always wanted to be a copper, but looking at CivPol now, there is no way i could do the core policing role.

Pensions - although contributory, your pension is much better than the military pound for pound.

The RAF has given me worldwide travel, i have had the support from the RAF when needed and given it to others when in need. The RAF has given me many opportunities and has given my family and I a very decent standard of living. I've also redone some of my GCSES (cause i woz fik at skool) and attained a BSc(Hons) a few years ago. All using education grants and nominal amount of my own cash.

However, the RAF has also affected my mental health (and many others) and almost caused family breakups on a few occasions due to the "Service Need".

Don't take the PR machine spiel, if you know any serving RAF, have a chat, or speak to your local Unit and see if you can get a visit.

 

[Downsizer]

You cannot be a direct entrant WSO.

Negative big boy....

RAF Recruitment | Weapon Systems Officer | Royal Air Force

As a Weapon Systems Officer, you will manage the sensors and weapons of aircraft during operational missions, whilst also supporting forces on the ground.

www.raf.mod.uk

 

[vim_fuego]

Negative big boy....

RAF Recruitment | Weapon Systems Officer | Royal Air Force

As a Weapon Systems Officer, you will manage the sensors and weapons of aircraft during operational missions, whilst also supporting forces on the ground.

www.raf.mod.uk

You're right. There is no AEO anymore (that got soaked up into the WSO branch) on P8’s. the old AEO role is now divided on-board between the Tacco and another role I don’t quite understand. So you apply WSO then get streamed to whatever role you seem best suited to (or they need the most). WSOp can still apply for WSO.

 

[ady eflog]

Poor morale, lack of training, lack of competent management and the perceived lack of public support , yep you won't be disappointed to know that's the same in the RAF, plus poor accommodation, lack of equipment, a pay cut, time away from family, loads of overtime but without the pay, don't believe the hype. If the best the RAF can come up with is free dental and medical and a gym then its really all lost. As far as adventurous training is concerned, you won't be doing any of that for a few years as you will be in training and won't get the time off, after that, again, due to the reduced manpower of the RAF its down to if you can be spared to take the time off. As for WSO look at the aircraft you will be employed on, Poseidon, do you and your partner want to live the next 20 years in northern scotland? sorry to be so negative through the rose tinted armed forces recruitment window, 30 years has made me cynical and bitter.

 

[unruly1986]

It’s changed massively in the 15 years that I’ve been in (for the worse, I’ll add). No doubt it will change in the next 15.

My advice: find something really interesting to do in the police and focus on that - detective, NPAS (looks like a great job), NCA, armed, etc. Or use the stability you have to train up in a different field.

 

[Vushtrri]

I went the other way..RAF to coppers after 14 yrs as a leckie. One common theme I noticed throughout my time as a bobby was the belief that you only got somewhere if you brown nosed it. I ended up in a few non mainstream policing roles, a yr UN Police in Kosovo, Coroners Officer for a few yrs, seconded to UKBA for 4 yrs, a unit at Heathrow for a while and a few other unusual jobs that after I retired Ended up with me going abroad for a while . Each time I was asked how I had managed to brown nosed my way into that particular job. When I asked if they had applied for the job themselves, no one had...and I remained a bum PC throughout my service..staying well away from CID and Traffic! The interesting roles are out there if you look and make enquiries.